It seems like about half of the NFL’s current head coaches have been on the proverbial hot seat at some point during the 2012 season. Going into the final two weeks, there’s no question the trio of Andy Reid, Norv Turner and Romeo Crennel remain in front of the firing line.

Over the past few weeks, some coaches have started to take more heat, while others have done their best to remove themselves from the job-security conversation. Taking the current temperature of eight tenuous situations around the league, there’s suddenly a balmier forecast in the NFC North:

Warming up

Lovie Smith, Bears. Smith’s contract expires after the 2013 season, but CBS Sports reported Sunday the Bears aren’t planning to talk about an extension anytime soon. Chicago started 7-1, raising expectations that it could compete for a second NFC title under Smith. Those haven’t been met in the second half of the season, as the Bears have gone 1-5. Injuries have contributed to the fade, but it’s nothing like the quarterback and running back ailments that led them to missing out on the playoffs last season. If general manger Phil Emery likes the pool of candidates to potentially replace Smith, don’t be surprised if he dives in a year earlier.

Jim Schwartz, Lions. The Lions have only one quality win this season, a 28-24 home upset of Seattle in Week 8. The Lions just lost their sixth consecutive game, 38-10 in Arizona to a Cardinals team that had lost to those same Seahawks, 58-0 in Week 14. Since Detroit started 5-0 on its march to a wild-card berth in 2011, it’s gone 9-16. The bigger issue is the continued lack of discipline. There have been the offseason off-field woes, but on the field, the Lions keep committing the same mental mistakes and haven’t cleaned up their problems with penalties. As Schwartz’s message isn’t getting through, one must blame the messenger.

Pat Shurmur, Browns. The Browns had won three consecutive games going into Week 15, and without having to face Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, there was hope to keep up their strong defensive play against Washington. Unfortunately, Cleveland was ripped on its home field, 38-21, picked apart by Griffin’s rookie fill-in, Kirk Cousins. Shurmur’s charge, the offense, was out of sync with questionable play-calling. New owner Jimmy Haslam should see the great potential of his young team, and it would appear Shurmur isn’t quite the right man to capitalize on that.

Chan Gailey, Bills. The Seahawks put Arizona’s Ken Whisenunt on the brink of firing with their 58-0 rout a week ago. They followed that by embarrassing Gailey’s Bills, 50-17 on Sunday. Gailey has gotten most heat for his offensive play-calling, which has included not giving the ball enough to his most dynamic player -- running back C.J. Spiller. Then there's the fact hiring Dave Wannstedt and signing Mario Williams hasn’t helped the defense. Whether they’re playing in Buffalo or Toronto, the Bills’ inferior product and another season of missed playoffs with a higher payroll spells yet another coaching change.

Cooling off

Jason Garrett, Cowboys. Jerry Jones has to like how his team has responded under Garrett of late, overcoming mounting adversity in the process. Dallas (7-6) has won five of its past six games to tie for first in NFC East with the Redskins and Giants. It has a good chance to play for the division title in Washington in Week 17. The past two weeks have been most impressive, as the Cowboys outlasted AFC wild-card contenders Cincinnati and Pittsburgh for walkoff victories. Garrett has found his groove as both a balanced play-caller and strong leader.

Ron Rivera, Panthers. The Panthers aren’t that far away from a big breakthrough. Everything circles around what Cam Newton and the offense does, but Rivera and Sean McDermott’s defense is rounding into an elite unit. Carolina can rush the passer with Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy, and cover great ground with rookie Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis at Rivera’s old position, linebacker. Newton is locked in again and the running game has come to life. The Panthers are 5-9, but consider that seven of their losses have been by six or fewer points. Just when Rivera has a chance for a great Year 3, it would be a mistake to take him away from his charge.

Dennis Allen, Raiders. No matter what Oakland (4-10) does in its final two games, it won’t match its win total (seven) of a season ago. Allen’s team ended a six-game losing streak against Kansas City, 15-0, getting its first victory since beating the Chiefs in Week 8. The Raiders, in the last years under the late Al Davis, tended to be fickle with coaches, affected by personality clashes. Allen, with his defensive acumen and positive energy, deserves more than a year to prove himself and general manager Reggie McKenzie needs to help him by significantly overhauling the personnel.

Rex Ryan, Jets. If New York can beat Tennessee on Monday night, it would be 7-7, even with Pittsburgh and just a game behind Cincinnati for the AFC’s second wild-card berth. The Jets close with the Chargers and Bills, while the Steelers and Bengals must play each other next week before two more tricky AFC North matchups. General manager Mike Tannebaum and quarterback Mark Sanchez may not return, but given the Jets’ major injuries and offensive controversies, Ryan has handled them well to get his team into its current competitive position.